All_night

As a CNA, I have never said "no" to any delegated task. However, I will ask the RN to help me if they can when the task requires 2 people or if I'm worried about patient safety. I don't understand how CNAs get away with hiding and avoiding work altogether. Please stop grouping all CNAs into a group of inferior, lazy, thank-you-seeking people. The fact is, they do a lot for about 1/3 of your RN pay.

Pinny, you sound a lot like me, except I'm an experienced CNA for the time being rather than an RN. You know the strangest thing, though? I became unconfident and very anxious at work pretty much overnight for several days. It seems to have been triggered by stress from school and uncertainty regarding a couple of possible new jobs. It was so bad (shaking hands, racing heart), that I thought about calling in sick instead of going to work in addition to talking to my doctor about anti-anxiety medication. And when I wouldn't let myself take the easy way out, I felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Outside of work, I even had a panic attack. However, de-stressing by working out seems to have set me straight again somehow. I don't know if this will help you, but please give it a try. Working out to the point where you have the same symptoms as the anxiety and being able to push through them seems to be what helped me the most. I understand that there is an emotional component to your stress, but I still hope you try adding a strenuous activity to your de-stressing routine. Please keep us posted, and good luck. I know you will find your confidence so that you can help your patients the way you used to =)

I understand where your parents are coming from. Who knows? Maybe in the future you will end up working with some of your old coworkers in a whole different facility. The happiness of your cowrokers seems like a good sign. Good luck with everything, and feel free to keep us posted.

*Bump* I wish I had some advice for you, but I'm just barely out of school. Hopefully your fellow nurses can give their thoughts. Good luck MJ!

You're very welcome! My hospital trains CNAs for 2 weeks (6 shifts), and I felt ready to be on my own by then. Hopefully you'll receive the same training. Leaving such great coworkers really must be difficult! Have you thought of working PRN at the LTC facility? That way you could still be connected to it and the people that work there.

Sorry, I realized that I didn't completely answer your question. I am currently working at this job still (CNA on Med/Surge and ortho), and it'salso full time nights. I can honestly say that I love the job, and I'm mostly happy to be there. I've never worked in LTC, so I can't compare the two. However, hospitals are where a lot of people want to be, so if I were you I would try it out. Plus, it's good experience to have moving forward, especially since you want to pursue nursing. I think working as a CNA anywhere tends to be stressful when it's busy. Don't be scared of a new job in a new place! If you stick around, you'll become familiar with the hospital and make friends from different departments.

My first CNA job was on a Med/Surg and Ortho floor. Ruby Vee gave you some good information. A lot of what you do now in LTC will carry on into this new job (taking vitals, cleaning up people and changing their briefs, fetching things for patients/nurses). However, on the job you'll also learn how to properly move people who have had different orthopedic surgeries (laminectomies or spinal fusions, hip/knee surgeries). I wouldn't worry about it, because they do teach you these things on the job. Also specific to ortho, you'll be regularly switching out ice packs for patients and helping them walk and put on their continuous passive motion (CPM) devices. Don't let any of what I'm saying scare you, because, once again, you'll be taught these things during orientation. As for Med/Surg, every patient has different considerations, but the tasks we do become familiar with time. Your nurse will always be there for guidance/instruction. Good luck, and congrats on the new job!

I actually used to feel that way, until I started working with patients as a caregiver/CNA. I'm not talking you into staying in nursing school, but there are ways to solve your problems. If you're anxious around patients, then work with patients often and you'll become more confident when communicating with them.

Not always. I spent 7 months as a caregiver before getting a job in acute care, and after hiring me, my hospital hired people with no heallthcare experience whatsoever. I should also mention that those new hires weren't in nursing school. It really depends, but some kind of entry-level experience is sure to help you get your first hospital job.

No, thank goodness that doesn't happen at my facility. I know a CNA who was sprayed with feces when emptying a colostomy bag and needed to change at work. I've also accidentally spilled the contents of a bed-side commode on my shoe (just urine, thankfully). But these things rarely happen. I think you have a solid plan; working in a hospital gives you more support and involves less physical strain. Good luck to you! We're here if you have more questions Edit: typo

While reading all of these stories, it go me thinking about how I really don't want to leave any "energy" behind. I don't want to haunt my loved ones or anyone else for that matter! Nevertheless, I love stories of the supernatural! This is definitely one of my favorite threads. I could have finished reading it all in less than the several months it took, but I didn't want the stories to end. Please keep them coming people

Like many of the posters here, I also like being a CNA. However, I do work in a hospital where one no-call no-show can get you immediately terminated. Most everyone helps each other out and there is a positive culture. I don't know how you guys do LTC, where there are so many patients needing help with ADLs and transfers. I highly respect LTC aides but could probably never do it myself.

I'm surprised no one mention that being a caregiver is a pretty good job. Look on indeed.com for caregiver positions. Some agencies pay better than others, but it's easier than being a CNA, and they hire and start you on the job quickly (often same-day). I did in-home caregiving and would recommend it.

I almost thought that was a typo

I also held one of my patients' legs while she pushed. Asked the RN to take over when my arms got tired, though. I was up close and personal during 2 (well, more like 1.5) lady partsl births. Embrace it! See and experience all you can. You never know what you will miss out on learning otherwise. Edited due to typo.